Weekly Memo: February 15, 2012

Dear Parents,

I chanced upon a bingo game in progress in a three-year-old classroom today. I had to stifle some laughs as I watched the teacher gently introduce and then attempt to play the game with five little students. When play began, the children didn’t fully comprehend the goal of the game—to fill an entire card with pretty glass heart markers so you could then yell “bingo!” From their point of view, how was that any more desirable than simply amassing a large quantity of pretty hearts? Nor did they initially understand why, when the teacher held up a picture that matched one of the spaces on their card, they needed to cover that space with a marker. The pictures were simply interesting by themselves without doing anything more with them! Eventually, however, all the children caught on to the point of the game, and each of them seemed to enjoy having a chance to call out “bingo!” and receive a chocolate kiss. But witnessing this episode reminded me—once again—how wonderfully in-the-moment children are.

While it is indeed important for our children to learn to be goal-directed in order to make their way in the world, there is something to be said about embracing the moment that is right in front of us and seeing the gifts it offers. We adults often have an impaired ability to do that because we have so many things to accomplish, so many goals. But on the way to our goals we can take a cue from our kids who show us it is good to sometimes just enjoy the pretty glass hearts and the company of each other we encounter on the way.

Go to this link: http://www.theyearsareshort.com/ if you would like to enjoy a moment (60 seconds actually). Attitude makes all the difference, and an attitude of gratitude can reveal the fullness of life.

Yours in Christ,

Carrie Griffith

Linus Quilt Project Update

Just a reminder that parent volunteers will be assisting the children in sewing together their fabric pieces into quilts on Wednesday (Feb. 29) and Thursday (Mar. 1). Thank you to all who have offered to help in this worthwhile project. We could use a few more volunteers. If you can sew a straight seam or iron a flat piece of material, you are more than qualified to help. Please complete this response form to help out on either day or just let us know in the office.

After School Classes

If you signed your child up for one of the after-school classes, you have received a notice listing in which class(es) your child has been enrolled and the amount of the payment due by this Friday. We are sorry we were not able to accommodate all those interested in our Tae Kwon Do class. However, there are still three spaces open in Ms. Becki’s cooking class. Tae Kwon Do classes begin on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Cooking classes begin on Wednesday, Feb. 29.

Healthy Smiles

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The children were fortunate to have had a visit from Joanne Rees, a dental health educator from Wake Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, who talked with them about keeping their teeth healthy. Dr. Danielle Tart (dentist and Charlotte’s mom) also came in to speak with one of our Puppies classes about taking care of our smiles. Thank you to both of them for sharing their expertise with our students.

Visit Creative Movement Class with Ms. Sadler

Visit your child’s Creative Movement class at its regularly scheduled time:

Monday, February 27    
Yellow Puppies 9:15   
Cubs 9:35   
Frogs 10:10   
Otters 10:40   
Blue Ties 11:05   
Eagles 11:35

Tuesday, February 28
Red Puppies 9:15
Bunnies 9:35
Turtles 10:10
Pandas 10:40
Red Ties 11:05

Friday, March 2 
Spotted Puppies 9:15  

FREE Creative Movement for Younger Sibs

Ms. Sadler, our Creative Movement Teacher, has invited parents of children who are eligible for our 2-year-old class next year (2012-13 school year) to accompany their young children to a series of mini-Creative Movement classes. These will occur on Friday mornings from 9-9:15 in Room 34 (the Early Arrival classroom) beginning February 24 and running for 6 weeks. There is no cost for these sessions, but parents must be present.

Upcoming:

Feb. 20 – ECC closed for Presidents Day 
Feb. 21 – ECC closed for Teacher Workday 
Feb. 22 –Ash Wednesday, Lent Begins
Mar. 7, 8 & 9 – Class and Individual Spring Photos
There will be no memo next week.

First Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Party

Get your tickets now for a traditional Irish dinner, live Irish music, entertainment, raffles, games and much more. It’s all taking place on Saturday, March 10 at 7 P.M. in Ignatius Hall. Tickets are $15 each or 2/$25, and will be available after all masses this weekend, at the parish office or on-line.  Click here for more information or here to buy tickets on-line.

10th Annual Ignited By Truth Conference

The 10th Annual Ignited By Truth Catholic Conference takes place Feb 24-25 at the NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh. Register at http://ignitedbytruth.com/.

Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. ~G.K. Chesterton

Weekly Memo: February 8, 2012

Dear Parents,

It was his first day of preschool, and he started to miss his mom. Tears filled his eyes, his mouth got sad and his nose began to run. Before I could get up to get a Kleenex, not one, but two, little hands were handing me tissues. Two little girls, just three-years old, had empathized with his tears and spontaneously acted to make the situation better. Later, one of the little girls told me she wanted to invite the sad child to build a block tower with her and her friends. Next week we will celebrate “Love” with Valentine cards and chocolates and flowers, but I had just witnessed love in its purest form—an unselfconscious act of concern for another’s well-being.

Most acts of love are not very spectacular. Most occur simply in the midst of our everyday responsibilities willingly carried out. For parents, love often looks like reading a story, giving a bath or even enforcing a time-out. But if, in the midst of this ordinary activity we are able to recognize Christ in the faces of our children, it is Love himself we are inviting into our hearts and our homes.

When you do the duty of the moment, you do something for Christ. You make a home for him in the place where your family dwells. You feed him when you feed your family. You wash his clothes when you do their laundry. You help him in a hundred ways as a parent. Then, when the time comes and you appear before Christ to be judged, he will say to you, “I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was sick and you looked after me.” ~Catherine Doherty

Yours in Christ,

Carrie Griffith

Make a Joyful Noise

Our No Fuss Fundraiser is long since past, but I wanted to let you know how much your children are enjoying the outdoor musical instruments we procured through your generosity. They are all installed on the playground now. I heard some “hoorays” as one class bounded out to the playground, running en masse to try out the new musical acquisitions. In another class a young fellow periodically looked out the window longingly, anticipating his chance to play the dragonfly chime. The instruments are a hit! Thank you for making them possible!

Parent Programs

Thank you to Maureen O’Connell (ECC parent and licensed counselor) for facilitating our most recent viewing of You’re a Better Parent Than You Think. Once again, it was clear that the attendees found the presentation very valuable. An evening showing of the video is planned for later in the Spring, but until then you may also check the video out from the ECC office for personal viewing at home. In March, Maureen will be offering a session on Parenthood: Taking Care of Yourself. More information will follow.

Linus Quilt Project Update

Thank you to all who sent in non-perishable food items in exchange for fabric as part of our Linus Quilt service project. The fabric was dedicated at the prayer service concluding Catholic Schools Week last Friday. Soon every one of our students will have the opportunity to help sew the material into quilts to be donated to Project Linus. Some of our own ECC children have been recipients of Linus Quilts when they were in the hospital. We have also received thank you notes from other families who were given one of the quilts our ECC children had made. If you would like to help the children with the sewing of the quilts here at the ECC, please return the response form found here.

Thank You

Thank you to all who brought their children to the Heritage Fest and allowed them to take to the stage to open the night’s entertainment. Though their numbers were small and the sound system left something to be desired that night, I was so proud of our ECC’ers spirit and poise.

Visit Creative Movement Class with Ms. Sadler

You’re invited to visit your child’s Creative Movement class at its regularly scheduled time on the following dates:

Monday, February 27   
Yellow Puppies 9:15   
Cubs 9:35   
Frogs 10:10   
Otters 10:40   
Blue Ties 11:05   
Eagles 11:35

Tuesday, February 28
Red Puppies 9:15
Bunnies 9:35
Turtles 10:10
Pandas 10:40
Red Ties 11:05

Friday, March 2 
Spotted Puppies 9:15  

Last Call!

Last call to sign up for one or both of the ECC’s new optional after-school activities. Beginning Feb. 28 and running for 6 consecutive Tuesdays, Master Bruce (from Black Belt World) will be teaching Tae Kwon Do classes. Beginning on Feb. 29 and running for 6 consecutive Wednesdays, Ms. Becki (our Otters teacher) will be offering cooking classes. Both classes will run from Noon—1:00 PM. The cost for each 6-week session is $60. A maximum of 18 children will be accepted into each class, with preference going to four-year-old students. The deadline for returning all sign-up sheets is Feb. 10.

FREE Creative Movement for Younger Sibs

Ms. Sadler, our Creative Movement Teacher, has invited parents of children who are eligible for our 2-year-old class next year (2012-13 school year) to accompany their young children to a series of mini-Creative Movement classes. These will occur on Friday mornings from 9-9:15 in Room 34 (the Early Arrival classroom) beginning February 24 and running for 6 weeks. There is no cost for these sessions, but parents must be present.

Upcoming:

Feb. 15 and 16 – Puppet Show performed by our own ECC Puppetry Committee 
Feb. 20 – ECC closed for Presidents Day 
Feb. 21 – ECC closed for Teacher Workday 
Feb. 22 –Ash Wednesday, Lent Begins

10th Annual Ignited By Truth Conference

The 10th Annual Ignited By Truth Catholic Conference takes place Feb 24-25 at the NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh. Registration Discounts, for full Saturday program including lunch: Groups (5 or more) $25/adult, Individuals $45, Students (age 10+) $25. Gift Certificates available! Who will you invite? Questions: (919) 789-1IBT or IgnitedByTruth.com

The present moment is an ever freshly springing source of sanctity…The present moment is the manifestation of God. ~Jean-Pierre de Caussade

Weekly Memo: February 1, 2012

Dear Parents,

Fish the Magish had us rolling in the aisles on Tuesday. Like the warm, sunny weather outside, the shared laughter and silliness brought a spring-like lightness within the ECC. Laughter has that effect. When it is shared, it binds us together and makes us feel happy. Science informs us that laughter also boosts our immune system and our energy level, reduces the effects of stress and pain and encourages optimism, resilience and productivity. Mostly, though, we understand laughter is another of God’s gifts to us.

And our children are carriers. The average 5-year-old laughs more than 300 times a day (adults average only 17 chuckles in the same period). When we adults do laugh, we momentarily step away from our egos and our worries. We may even laugh at ourselves. We are very much in the moment—like children. G. K. Chesterton’s famous quote: “Angels fly because they take themselves lightly” illustrates the freedom that comes when we are able to escape the burden of our own self-importance. Yes, the God who loves us beyond all telling is in charge, and whether the skies are sunny or storm-filled, we know He is a Father who delights in us and in our laughter together.

Yours in Christ,

Carrie Griffith

2012-13 ECC Registration

Our in-house registration is complete and class lists are posted. We’ll begin filling our remaining spaces with non-ECC families this week. If you know of anyone who is interested, tell them to get their registration forms in now. We will of course continue to run waiting lists once the classes are full.

Lunch Bunch for Fours

The Lunch Bunch volunteer helpers for the month of February are:
Jan. 30 Maria Fuchs
Feb. 2 Marianne Jurney
Feb. 6 Tina Ward
Feb. 9 Stephanie Williford
Feb. 13 Christine Burr
Feb. 16 Tammy Cunningham
Feb. 27 Eden Ng
Feb. 23 Silvia Bryant

Catholic Schools Week Continues

There are more fun-raising activities in store for Catholic Schools Week. Please refer to the information you have received and plan to participate. Remember, you are all invited to our ECC school-wide prayer service on Friday at 11:30 in the Church. Also, all this week ECC students can redeem a non-perishable food item as ‘payment’ for a piece of fabric that will eventually be sewn into quilts for our Linus Quilt service project.

Visit Creative Movement Class with Ms. Sadler

Do your children often talk about the fun things they do in Ms. Sadler’s Creative Movement class? Perhaps you have a child who, when you ask what they did in school, says, “Nothin.” Well, either way, you’re invited to visit your child’s Creative Movement class at its regularly scheduled time on the following dates:

Monday, February 27  
Yellow Puppies 9:15  
Cubs 9:35  
Frogs 10:10  
Otters 10:40  
Blue Ties 11:05  
Eagles 11:35

Tuesday, February 28
Red Puppies 9:15
Bunnies 9:35
Turtles 10:10
Pandas 10:40
Red Ties 11:05

Friday, March 2 
Spotted Puppies 9:15  

Two New After-School Offerings

The ECC will offer two new optional after-school activities. Beginning Feb. 28 and running for 6 consecutive Tuesdays, Master Bruce (from Black Belt World) will be teaching Tae Kwon Do classes. Beginning on Feb. 29 and running for 6 consecutive Wednesdays, Ms. Becki (our Otters teacher) will be offering cooking classes. Both classes will run from Noon—1:00 PM. The cost for each 6-week session is $60. A maximum of 18 children will be accepted into each class, with preference going to four-year-old students. The deadline for returning sign-up sheets is Feb. 10.

FREE Creative Movement for Younger Sibs

Ms. Sadler, our Creative Movement Teacher, has invited parents of children who are eligible for our 2-year-old class next year (2012-13 school year) to accompany their young children to a series of mini-Creative Movement classes. These will occur on Friday mornings from 9-9:15 in Room 34 (the Early Arrival classroom) beginning February 24 and running for 6 weeks. There is no cost for these sessions, but parents must be present.

Tuition Payments

Tuition payments must be up to date in order for students to remain on the roster for next year. We recognize that providing a Catholic education for your children often necessitates financial sacrifices. Applications for a limited amount of tuition assistance for the 2012-2013 school year are now available. Please see Ms. Carrie if you wish to receive an application. Please note, to qualify for the Stewardship Tuition Rate for next year, the Parish office must have approved your 2012-2013 Family Stewardship Form.

Don’t Forget!

You’re a Better Parent Than You Think! Video Presentation — Feb. 2, 9 a.m.-noon

St. Raphael 2012 Heritage Festival — Feb. 3 in Ignatius Hall, 6-10 p.m. Don’t miss out on the food, entertainment and dancing. Our ECC 4- and 5-year-olds will open the evening’s entertainment at 7 pm. Please remember to send in your response form if your child will be participating in this performance. WE NEED MANY PARTICIPANTS TO FILL THAT GREAT BIG STAGE IN IGNATIUS HALL!

Upcoming:

Feb. 8, 9 and 17 – Dental Health presentations
Feb. 15 and 16 –Puppet Show performed by our own ECC Puppetry Committee
Feb. 20 – ECC closed for Presidents Day
Feb. 21 – ECC closed for Teacher Workday
Feb. 22 –Ash Wednesday, Lent Begins

Help SRCS Students Fight Hunger

Can you think of anything more satisfying and comforting than a hot bowl of soup enjoyed with family and friends? There are persons in our immediate community who go without this comfort every day. Join SRCS students in Ignatius Hall on Sunday, March 4 to help fill the “empty bowls” in our community. Students will be selling handcrafted bowls filled with hearty soup. Profits will go to local hunger-fighting organizations. If you know of a restaurant willing to donate soup/chili for this event, please contact Kim Simmons at KimRuffin@aol.com or 790-2489.

Jesuit Speaker Series

Fr. George Coyne’s presentation on “Planet Earth” has been rescheduled for March 3.

10th Annual Ignited By Truth Conference

The 10th Annual Ignited By Truth Catholic Conference takes place Feb 24-25 at the NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh. Speakers include Raymond Arroyo, Host of EWTN’s “The World Over Live;” Michael Barber, Ph.D. Professor of Theology, Scripture, & Catholic Thought; Dr. Philip Mango, Catholic Psychotherapist; Sister Miriam James Heidland, Former Volleyball Star; John W. Garcia, Founder of Sober for Christ; Mario St. Francis, Fashion Model on a Mission; Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Vigil Mass Celebrant and Homilist. FREE Friday Night program―Discover the Catholic Church― includes Praise & Worship Music and talks in English and Spanish. Early Registration Discounts, for full Saturday program including lunch: Groups (5 or more) $25/adult, Individuals $35, Students (age 10+) $20. After Feb 5, prices increase to $45/Adult, $25/Students. Gift Certificates available! Who will you invite? Questions: (919) 7891IBT. IgnitedByTruth.com

“Laughter is an instant vacation.” ~Milton Berle

Weekly Memo: January 25, 2012

Dear Parents,

St. Raphael’s ECC will join with the SRCS and thousands of other Catholic schools across the nation in celebrating Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 29-Feb. 4. The week begins here at St. Raphael’s with the 9:30 a.m. Mass this Sunday, followed by coffee and donuts in Ignatius Hall for our current families and an Open House at the ECC for parents of prospective students. There are plenty of other events scheduled for the week, so please plan on participating with us. If your child is not normally in school on Tuesdays, for example, you are still invited to bring him/her to a performance by Fish the Magish at 9:45 in the Lewis Room on Jan. 31. We also hope to see many of our parents at our Friday prayer service at 11:30 in the Church.

The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2012 is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service.” The theme focuses on three priorities that make Catholic schools stand out from other educational institutions. Children are taught Faith—not just the basics of Christianity, but growing close to God and living out that friendship in all our relationships. Academics—high standards and a commitment to having each child reach his/her potential. Service—giving of ourselves for others as an expression of our faith and good citizenship. All three of these are summed up in our preschool’s motto: “nurturing young minds, hearts and spirits.”

Even though our children are little, they are taking early steps on their journeys toward growth in character, competence and compassion. We know, too, that God often uses the small and humble to do great things. This year, as in years past, our little ones will have the opportunity to be involved in a great service initiative—our annual Linus Project. With your assistance, our children will sew together quilts that will then be donated to Project Linus, an organization providing blankets to children traumatized by illness or other hardship. Even our youngest students understand the comfort brought by a soft, warm blanket.

To further assist our children in becoming truly invested in this undertaking, we ask each child to contribute one fabric square. We’ll have a selection of fabric pieces here at the ECC from which they can choose. We’re asking you to help by having your child bring in one non-perishable food item (no glass, please) which they will then “redeem” for a fabric of their choosing. In addition to helping feed the hungry, once our ECC students have had the opportunity to transform their donated material into finished quilts, they will see in a most tangible way how our combined efforts and unique contributions have created something warm and beautiful for those in need.

Faith, Academics, Service. Mind, heart, and spirit. As we salute our Catholics schools for their efforts to assist our children in becoming the whole, well-formed persons God intended for them to be, we simultaneously salute you, our school parents, for the sacrifices you have made to provide for your children a faith-filled education. May God bless you for all you are doing not just for your own children, but through them, for the future of our world.

Yours in Christ,

Carrie Griffith

2012-13 ECC Registration

We will process parishioners’ registrations next Wednesday, Feb. 1 and non-parishioners’ on Feb. 3. In-house registration forms for current ECC students and their siblings should have already been returned to be eligible for priority registration. We can only guarantee a space for your child if you have returned a registration form before next Wednesday.

Open House at the ECC

Tell your neighbors and friends who may be interested in having their children attend the ECC: The preschool will hold an Open House for parents of prospective students after the 9:30 a.m. Mass this coming Sunday, January 29 from 10:30-12:00.

Parent Surveys

Completed survey forms will continue to be accepted in the ECC office through Friday, Jan. 27. Thank you for your input!

Lunch Bunch for Fours

Lunch Bunch payments will be accepted in the hallway before school this Friday, Jan. 27. Lunch Bunch begins the week of Jan. 30.

Back By Popular Demand!

Parents who attended one of our last video presentations of “You’re a Better Parent than You Think!” found it to be a great learning and sharing opportunity. We are therefore going to offer another viewing, again with free babysitting provided, for any parents who might like to attend. Past participants thought it would have been helpful to watch the video with their spouse, so feel free to invite yours to attend with you. Maureen O’Connell, an ECC parent and licensed counselor, will facilitate the discussion that follows the video. The viewing with take place on Feb. 2, 9am - noon. Please complete and return this sheet if you plan on attending and to indicate your need for childcare. 

Two New After-School Offerings

The ECC will offer two new optional after-school activities. Beginning Feb. 28 and running for 6 consecutive Tuesdays, Master Bruce (from Black Belt World) will be teaching Tae Kwon Do classes. Beginning on Feb. 29 and running for 6 consecutive Wednesdays, Ms. Becki (our Otters teacher) will be offering cooking classes. Both classes will run from Noon—1:00 PM. The cost for each 6-week session is $60. A maximum of 18 children will be accepted into each class, with preference going to four-year-old students. Complete and return the sign-up sheet by Feb. 10 if you are interested in enrolling your child in either class.

FREE Creative Movement for Younger Sibs

Ms. Sadler, our Creative Movement Teacher, has invited parents of children who are eligible for our 2-year-old class next year (2012-13 school year) to accompany their young children to a series of mini-Creative Movement classes. These will occur on Friday mornings from 9-9:15 in Room 34 (the Early Arrival classroom) beginning February 24 and running for 6 weeks. There is no cost for these sessions, but parents must be present.

Tuition Payments

Tuition payments must be up to date in order for students to remain on the roster for next year. We recognize that providing a Catholic education for your children often necessitates financial sacrifices. Applications for a limited amount of tuition assistance for the 2012-2013 school year are now available. Please see Ms. Carrie if you wish to receive an application. Please note, to qualify for the Stewardship Tuition Rate for next year, the Parish office must have approved your 2012-2013 Family Stewardship Form.

Don’t Forget!

• Catholic Schools Week — Jan. 29 - Feb. 4

  Plan to attend the 9:30 am Mass on Sunday then stop by for coffee and donuts in Ignatius Hall. ECC children’s artwork will be on display in the Atrium. Participate in the week’s events including a performance by Fish the Magish on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 9:45 in the Lewis Room and our ECC school-wide prayer service on Friday, Feb. 3 at 11:30 in the Chapel.

• St. Raphael 2012 Heritage Festival — Feb. 3 in Ignatius Hall, 6-10 p.m.

  Don’t miss out on the food, entertainment and dancing. Our ECC 4- and 5-year-olds will open the evening’s entertainment at 7 pm. Please remember to send in your response form if your child will be participating in this performance. WE NEED MANY PARTICIPANTS TO FILL THAT GREAT BIG STAGE IN IGNATIUS HALL!

Upcoming:

Feb. 8, 9 and 10 – Dental Health presentations
Feb. 15 and 16 – Puppet Show performed by our own ECC Puppetry Committee
Feb. 20 – ECC closed for Presidents Day
Feb. 21 – ECC closed for Teacher Workday
Feb. 22 – Ash Wednesday, Lent Begins

SRCS Open House

Saint Raphael Catholic School will be hosting a series of Open Houses: on Sunday, January 29 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon and again on Wednesday, February 1 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon and 6:30-8:00 p.m. All ECC families are invited to attend on any of these dates/times. You will have an opportunity to meet faculty and staff while learning about the school’s academic and extracurricular programs. All ECC families that attend will be entered into a drawing to win a Family Fun Basket (on display at the ECC)!

Jesuit Speaker Series

Jesuit Fr. George Coyne, an accomplished astronomer and Emeritus Director and President of the Vatican Observatory, will be speaking on “Planet Earth” on February 4 in the Lewis Room after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. All are invited.

If we want to have a good society, we must concentrate all our forces on the Christian education of the young. Experience has taught me that if we wish to sustain civil society then we should take good care of the young. ~Don Bosco

Weekly Memo: January 18, 2012

Dear Parents,

I walked in as the Pandas were discussing some science investigations they had conducted at their individual homes. In school, they had measured how long it took for an ice cube to melt when it was left on a tray. The task the children were given was to try to melt an ice cube more quickly at home. I was amazed by the number of clever ways they had discovered to speed the melting of an ice cube—placing it in hot chocolate, under hot running water, in the bathtub; exposing it to heat vents, hair dryers, and sunshine… One student tried wrapping the ice in his blanket. (Though his blanket got very wet, he discovered it did not speed melting.) This learning activity would not have been nearly as fun, interesting and valuable were it not for the sharing of so many different perspectives and experiences.

Just as our children’s learning is enhanced by dialogue, I must commend you, our parents, for your willingness to share your insights and concerns about your children and to work together with us here at the ECC. From the feedback I received from our teachers, it appears many fruitful discussions occurred during our recently held Parent/Teacher conferences. Throughout this school year, constructive communication between parents and faculty has promoted not only improved developmental progress for individual students but also significant positive changes within individual classrooms as well. Together we have come up with helpful responses to what could have been problematic situations. As I walked through the Center today and witnessed the joyful, productive learning that was occurring in each and every classroom, I was filled with gratitude for each child, teacher and parent who makes up this loving extended family of the ECC.

Thank you for sharing your cherished children with us. Thank you for sharing yourselves with such candor and good will.

Yours in Christ,

Carrie Griffith

Parent Surveys

Thank you to all who have filled out and returned parent surveys. We truly value each of your comments. Blank survey forms are still available, and completed surveys will continue to be accepted in the ECC office through Jan. 27.

Lunch Bunch for Fours

Lunch Bunch forms are due back this Friday, and payments will be accepted in the hallway before school next Friday, Jan. 27. Lunch Bunch begins the week of Jan. 30.

Open House at the ECC

Tell everyone you know who might be interested in having their children attend the ECC that the preschool will hold an Open House for parents of prospective students after the 9:30 am Mass on January 29 from 10:30-12:00.

2012-13 ECC Registration

In-house registration for current ECC students and their siblings will take place at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, Jan. 25. Please make sure you have returned your registration form by then in order to have first priority in choosing classes for next year. Include your first, second and third choice of class. We guarantee a placement for next year to every child currently in the program and will attempt to honor your preferences. However, we cannot promise a particular class or a certain number of days per week. Please let your friends and neighbors know that registration for parishioners will occur on Feb. 1 and for non-parishioners on Feb. 3.

Catholic Schools Week — Jan. 29 - Feb. 4

Catholic Schools Week will be officially kicked off at the 9:30 am Mass on Sunday, January 29. We hope all our children and their families will be in attendance, wearing their ECC apparel if possible. If you have volunteered in our school in any capacity, you’ll be asked to stand to be recognized at the end of Mass. After Mass, stop by for coffee and donuts in Ignatius Hall. More events will follow each day of Catholic Schools Week. Click here for more information about these activities.

Back By Popular Demand!

Parents who attended one of our last video presentations of “You’re a Better Parent than You Think!” found it to be a great learning and sharing opportunity. We are therefore going to offer another viewing, again with free babysitting provided, for any parents who might like to attend. Past participants thought it would have been helpful to watch the video with their spouse, so feel free to invite yours to attend with you. Maureen O’Connell, an ECC parent and licensed counselor, will facilitate the discussion that follows the video. Please RSVP if you plan on attending.

St. Raphael 2012 Heritage Festival

Come to Ignatius Hall on Friday, Feb. 3, 6-10 pm, for food, entertainment and dancing. Our ECC 4- and 5-year-olds will open the evening’s entertainment at 7 pm. Please return the response form if you would like your child to participate.

Name Our Newest Pets

As part of or continuing focus on Science and the study of Living/Nonliving things here at the ECC, we have once again acquired two new tadpoles. You may know that we tend to get rather attached to any little creatures that come under our roof, so you will understand why we feel our two new friends certainly need names. Would you like to help us by suggesting a name or two for them? There is a sheet for suggestions at the entrance to the ECC Office. We will hold a school-wide election so the children can have a say in choosing the final names.

It’s Going to be a Busy February!

In upcoming memos you will be receiving information on several events that are taking place at the ECC next month. In addition to Valentine’s Day and the beginning of Lent, there will be special in-school activities for the children, including a puppet show and a dental health presentation. There will be opportunities for you to come in and observe Creative Movement class and to enroll your 4-year-old student in a 6-week after-school (n00n-1pm) cooking and/or Tae Kwon Do class. Parents with rising two-year-old students can join in a FREE 6-week Mommy and Me movement class. Please be sure to read your weekly memos and calendars carefully so you don’t miss out!

You Made it Happen!

Melissa Matthews won the Ikea Life Improvement Contest thanks to your willingness to vote for her project each day! She wanted to thank you all:

“At the Frankie Lemmon School Christmas party this year, I got to sit on the floor next to Santa. It was moving to watch each child shyly sign “thank you” as they slipped off Santa’s lap—a simple gesture that told of the gift of communication that the children had received this year from the school & of the children’s unprompted appreciation for the gifts they’ve been given. Today, Ikea announced that it’s Christmas morning all over again! At the end of February, big boxes will arrive at FLS, filled with ipads for every student, smart boards for every class. And that is only the beginning of the gifts that the children will receive this year because you gave them 50,000 votes and a lot of love! One thing is for sure—Raleigh can rally! WE did it. YOU did it. And I’m signing “thank you”!”

SRCS Registration for Rising Kindergartners

Application for the 2012-2013 school year at St. Raphael Catholic School is available online at http://www.saintraphaelschool.org. Click on ONLINE APPLICATION and follow instructions for creating an account and applying. Once your completed application and the required $125 fee are received, your rising kindergartner will be scheduled to participate in a developmental assessment. The SRCS is able to offer a limited amount of tuition assistance, so do not let finances be your only reason for not considering a Catholic education for your child. For questions, please call Krista Ashe, vice principal, at 865-5756.

Life Events in Our Nation’s Capitol

The Annual Prayer Vigil for Life will take place at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on January 22 with Mass beginning at 6:30 pm.

Bishop Burbidge (Raleigh Diocese) and Bishop Jugis (Charlotte Diocese) will celebrate an 11:30 am Mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Monday, January 23. The Rally and National March for Life follows at the Capitol.

When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.